WATKINS GLEN--The work is mostly done. The famous Watkins Glen State Park will be ready to show off its upgraded and enhanced $6.5 million visitor improvements starting Friday, May 25. State Park Manager Ronald Roney said, "We are expecting a great season at the park. We may get 10,000 people for this Memorial Day weekend. We expect to attract one million visitors for the entire season."

YATES COUNTY--Yates County Administrator Bob Lawton is leaving his position in Penn Yan to accept the city manager post in Turlock, California. Turlock is located about 105 miles east of San Francisco and has a population of 73,000. Lawton, who was appointed to his Yates position in September, 2016, said he is proud of several things that have been accomplished in Yates.

TRI-COUNTY AREA--Next Monday, May 28, marks Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have died in active military service. There are a number of events and ceremonies planned to honor those who gave all for the United States.

DUNDEE--The village of Dundee will be 'smoke testing' the sanitary sewer lines from May 21 to June 1. The testing will occur between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Village officials say the tests involve injecting smoke into parts of the sewer system to find damaged pipes, improper connections and locations where unwanted storm water may be entering the village's sewer system. As a result, smoke may be seen coming from roof vents, building foundations, catch basins, clean-outs, down spouts, sewer laterals or manhole covers.

BURDETT--After working on a project for more than 20 years, it's a great day when it all comes together. The Burdett Fire Department celebrated two milestones this week - the 120th anniversary of its founding and the groundbreaking for their long-awaited new fire hall on Route 79, slated to open a little less than six months from now.

PENN YAN--There is a new law prohibiting tobacco use within Yates County property effective Jan. 1, 2019. The Yates Legislature approved the law Monday, May 14. Legislators are prohibiting the use of tobacco, nicotine or other like substances on real property owned or leased by Yates County. Lawmakers also amended the resolution to include prohibiting tobacco use in county-owned vehicles.

FINGER LAKES--The warmer weather is welcomed by many but unwanted tick bites and the concern of Lyme disease has become a growing seasonal problem. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns that deer ticks will cause 300,000 to 400,000 cases of Lyme disease nationwide this year. Health officials in Yates County reported Lyme disease cases more than doubled in 2017. Schuyler County reports the same.

ALBANY--Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced construction is progressing on the $58.3 million renovation project at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport. Much of the work will be completed by mid-summer, with full project completion expected this fall. The new airport plans to enhance the passenger experience and offer new amenities at the facility.

NEW YORK--The state must rewrite a portion of its manure control program for giant dairy farms because it violates federal law by outsourcing required oversight to private contractors and by imposing undue confidentiality, a state judge has ruled. The April 24 court decision strikes down the state Department of Environmental Conservation's general permit for large concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.

ALBANY--Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday, May 4, $90 million in revitalization and rehabilitation projects at nearly 50 state parks and historic sites across New York this year. The funding, included in the 2018-19 state budget, will provide $2.6 million for water system upgrades to the Watkins Glen State Park.

STEUBEN, YATES COUNTIES--Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced Wednesday, May 2 $4,205,224 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs at Pro Action of Steuben and Yates County, Inc. The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be used to support child care services for low-income families throughout Steuben and Yates Counties.

FINGER LAKES--As the temperatures continue to warm up and the area approaches the summer season, traffic on the lakes will increase exponentially. While many boaters will annually check life jackets and other safety equipment, a recall late last year affected many fire extinguishers used in homes, vehicles and boats.

NEW YORK--Standing alongside New York kids who say they have become addicted to their e-cig, "Juul," and on the heels of a just-out warning letter from the nation's health coalitions that cites the continued spread of e-cigarette use among middle and high school students, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is demanding the feds, particularly the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), use a law on the books to immediately reign in and ban the kid-friendly e-cig flavors, he and others say, are helping to fuel a fire of e-cig addiction among New York adolescents.

PENN YAN--Fire departments from Yates County and the surrounding area participated in a special fire drill on two blocks in Penn Yan, Thursday, May 3. The drill simulated an emergency at Birkett Mills and allowed the various companies to practice their response and use equipment.

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen Fire Department held their annual awards and training banquet, Saturday, April 28 at Hidden Valley, in the Watkins Glen State Park. The department honored the top responders as well as presented awards for years of service. Junior Specchio was recognized for 70 years of service during the evening. Specchio recalled the changes in emergency services since he started in 1948 saying, "When I look at the equipment today and the knowledge firefighters have, and the abilities they have, it is unreal."

DUNDEE--Dundee Central School announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorians for the Class of 2018 at their school board meeting Wednesday, April 25. The school commented, "Congratulations to Renee Wolverton for achieving the honor of being named Valedictorian of the Class of 2018. Renee is the daughter of Brian and Maura Wolverton. Her plans after graduation are to attend Mercyhurst University majoring in Music Therapy." The school has Co-Salutatorians for the first time ever, Joshua Kane and Colin Howell.

YATES COUNTY--Home sales for the first quarter of 2018 are up 34.1 percent in Yates County over the same three months in 2017. The New York State Association of Realtors reported that 55 homes were sold in January through March of 2018. During the same time in 2017, only 41 homes were sold.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Odessa-Montour, Watkins Glen, Dundee, Penn Yan and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the May 23 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen. These results appeared in the May 16 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen. These results appeared in the April 25 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the April 18 newspapers.

HORSEHEADS, DUNDEE--With only a matter of days remaining, the Outlaw Speedway Arnot Mall Car Show presented by Lane's Yamaha is set to go with cars rolling in Wednesday night, March 28 and the show running for three full days, March 29-31. The times were recently released for the driver autograph and photo session as well as the tire changing competition both happening Saturday, March 31. A number of weekly race competitors will be on hand for the autograph session which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Center Court of the Arnot Mall in Big Flats.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Dundee, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Feb. 28 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Odessa-Montour, Watkins Glen, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the Feb. 21 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Feb. 14 newspapers.